What really makes a great album cover? Does it have to be simple? Does it have to be complex with hidden meaning and images? Does it need to be representative of the album content?

Yes, Yes & Yes

The fact of the matter is that there is no guide book on what a great album cover should look like. After all how much impact does an album cover truly have on a consumers purchase choice? I for one have never purchased an album just because it had fantastic cover art. Does that mean that this list and the hundreds more like it are a waste of time? Definitely not. While packaging won’t make or break an album sale it most definitely adds to the experience. I liken it to dining at a five star steak house. You’re paying $200 not only for the amazing food but also for the ambiance. What if that same steak was served to you out of an abandoned rail car? Not so appetizing anymore is it? That is why list like this continue to appear.

10. Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

C’mon who hasn’t wanted a camel at their birthday party?

9. Ramona Falls – Intuit

There is so much going on in this picture. It’s like watching your favorite movie you always notice something different.

8. Antony and The Johnsons – The Crying Light

I just have to know what’s going on in front of this women that is causing her to writhe like that.

7. White Rabbits – It’s Frightening

Frenetic, just like the album

6. Muse – The Resistance

I like this one simply because it reminds me of the old Choose Your Own Adventure book covers that I used to read as a kid.

5. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – It’s Blitz

I want to know how many shots this one took

4. Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications

So simple and yet says so much

3. Black Lips – 200 Million Thousand

This one is great as it uses the optical illusion of a face hidden in the vertical black lines.

To view get close to your screen move away. You can also try and squint your eyes to see the face.

It’s also easier to see on the smaller icon

2. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion

Plain and simple: just trippy.

1. Dinosaur Jr. – Farm

This got the #1 slot because there are so many interpretations that can be read into it. Are these Ent type creatures high from inhaling this mystery smoke or are they there to save these Precious Moments children from it?